Summit targets ‘Twilight’ hacker

Civil actions filed in L.A., Argentina over 'Breaking Dawn' photos

Summit Entertainment has taken legal action against an alleged hacker responsible for the late-March release onto the Internet of unauthorized images from the set of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.”

Summit said Monday that a civil action has been filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and in Argentina against Daiana Santia, among others, for allegedly stealing photographs, unfinished images and video from both parts of “Breaking Dawn.” It also said criminal action has been filed in Argentina.

The studio said the investigation covered North America, South America, Europe and Australia and has led to the town of Posadas in northern Argentina.

“While we very much appreciate the legions of committed fans of the franchise and encourage them to create a community online, we cannot ignore that property was stolen,” said David C. Friedman, exec VP and general counsel. “It is not fair to the majority of fans that want to see the final chapter of the ‘Twilight Saga’ film franchise fully realized by the filmmaker and dedicated cast and crew, to have these images out and available on the Internet.”

Images were posted March 31 on several sites of stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in bed together. Summit issued a plea to fans to stop the spread of the photos. Story centers on the marriage of mortal Bella and the vampire Edward, and Bella giving birth to a half-vampire, half-human daughter.

Shooting on “Breaking Dawn” began in the fall in Vancouver and Baton Rouge, La., with Bill Condon directing both segments based on the final tome in the four-book series.

The first part of “Breaking Dawn” will be released Nov. 18 and the second a year later on Nov. 16, 2012.